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The Impact Of The OCO-Two

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Half of the amount of carbon dioxide generated into the atmosphere is absorbed by plants and the sea water. However, the remaining amount accumulates into the atmosphere causing the greenhouse effect (Boesch 5). Consequently, these changes require accurate data on the distribution of carbon dioxide to manage it. OCO-2 provides precise data that scientists can use to monitor the distribution of carbon dioxide. In particular, it provides data that can be used to improve the existing carbon cycle models which facilitate the reduction of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere (Boesch 5) The OCO-2 provides data that can be applied in predicting accurately the carbon concentration in the atmosphere in future. This reduces the uncertainty that is associated …show more content…

The impact of the mission includes:
a) OCO-2 has enhanced the way the concentration of carbon dioxide is measured. It provides data that is precise and more detailed such that the distribution and concentration can be measured more accurately (NASA.gov). Any changes in the level of concentration are also detected hence providing sufficient information to support carbon cycle. This has enhanced the ability of human beings to control the effects of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
b) The OCO-2 is able to calculate accurately the levels of Carbon Dioxide passes over any given water mass especially through the glint mode. The data collected enables people to understand how these masses of water such as the seas and oceans absorb the gas (NASA.gov). Consequently, researchers are able to understand the dynamics of ocean carbon exchange such as absorption relative to sea levels, or absorption rate per a given area of the water …show more content…

Previously, devices were not able to measure the levels of carbon distribution in such territories due to the terrains in such regions (NASA.gov). This limited how researchers could understand the changes that occurred in the region. These changes included the decreasing ice layers which have been associated with global warming and climatic changes in the region. However, there has been no accurate information on how the melting ice affected the already existing Carbon Dioxide levels especially due to the ability of large masses of water to absorb the gas.
d) The data received from the OCO-2 has also contributed in understanding how various elements such as weather fronts, storms, and hurricanes affect the carbon cycle. Often, such events as storms and hurricane are expected to change the distribution or composition of air at the point at which they happen (NASA.gov). Moreover, the changes in the atmospheric pressure that leads to such strong winds as a hurricane may also affect the composition of air at any given time. Sea storms may also alter the altitudes of sea levels. The OCO-2 provides data that can help understand these changes

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